The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have uncovered 230 fake admissions at the Imo State University (IMSU).
The fake admissions were discovered after JAMB officials noticed that its admission portal had been compromised.
According to Fabian Benjamin, the spokesperson for JAMB, “Yes, 230 fake admission letters were traced to IMSU. We took the matter to the ICPC and close to 10 staff members were arrested. Those involved in the admission office of the university were arrested and the VC was helpful as he ensured that all staff members involved, even those in his office, were not spared.”
The ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, confirmed that the commission had gathered credible evidence to prosecute those linked to the admission racketeering at IMSU, adding that the case would be charged to court soon.
“It is true; the ICPC is undertaking some investigations at IMSU. The focus (of the investigation) is on admission racketeering, as reported by JAMB. Though further investigation is ongoing, there is enough evidence to sustain prosecution. The IMSU registrar and the admission officer were interviewed in Abuja but never detained. The investigation is continuing. The matter will soon be in court.”
The IMSU spokesperson, Ralph Njokuobi, said the case was still under investigation. “Some of them (the staff members mentioned) were invited to come and explain. It is an allegation until it is substantiated. The investigation is ongoing and I don’t need to comment, even though the case hasn’t gone to court.”
The fake admissions were sold to non-qualifying applicants who scored low in JAMB’s UTME, with prices ranging from N300,000 to N1.5m, depending on the course.
The accused staff members invited by the ICPC included the Director of Admissions, Ndubuisi Ubaku, the registrar, Dr. Julius Osuagwu, and others.
